I am 40 years old and have seen the Star Wars films in order 4,5,6,1,2,3. I want to show them in my 7 years old daughter. Do you think that I should wait a couple of years and most importantly in what order should she see them? 1,2,3,4,5,6. or 4,5,6,1,2,3. I mean it's very impressive that Anakin turns to Vader in episode 3 but in my opinion it's even more impressive when Vader tells Luke that he is his father in episode 5. Of course the obvious order is 1-6. But.... Any suggestions... and why?

4, 5, 2, 3, 6. This way you start off with a bang, and then when you get the revelation at the end of 5 and end on that cliffhanger, you go back and fill in that backstory before resolving both the cliffhanger and the whole saga. 1 can be watched separately as it has no effect on the rest of the saga.

4, 5, 2, 3, 6. This way you start off with a bang, and then when you get the revelation at the end of 5 and end on that cliffhanger, you go back and fill in that backstory before resolving both the cliffhanger and the whole saga. 1 can be watched separately as it has no effect on the rest of the saga.

Without having the ability to re-edit the films this sounds like the perfect solution.

I would do the 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3 method --- the way they were introduced to the public.

Of course you can always leave out The Phantom Menace if you so choose, but since she's 7, she may not suffer from Jar Jar-phobia the way so many from my/our generation do. Remember, being 40, you're seeing the saga through very different eyes than she is.

Any way you do it, I think you should start with 4 and 5 though; you kind of need those as a proper introduction to that universe....

4, 5, 2, 3, 6. This way you start off with a bang, and then when you get the revelation at the end of 5 and end on that cliffhanger, you go back and fill in that backstory before resolving both the cliffhanger and the whole saga. 1 can be watched separately as it has no effect on the rest of the saga.

I have to disagree, though, in that Episode I is essential to the entire series. It introduces the tenets of both the Jedi Order and the Sith, it shows Palpatine's initial rise to power from a senator, it introduces Qui-Gon Jinn who's belief in the "living force" informs the rest of the saga especially as he is mentioned in Episode III, it introduces Anakin as an amazing, wunderkind pilot in the pod race sequence, we see Obi-wan as a padawan and the lessons he learns from Qui-Gon, it introduces Anakin's mother and the role she plays in his life both on Tatooine and her affect on him once he leaves to become a Jedi... I could go on and on. I mean, an important emotional key in Episode III is the jippor snippet made by Anakin and given to Padme in Episode I, so that's just one more reason why this movie shouldn't be excluded from viewing. I realize some fans have their problems with Episode I but it actually is brimming with characters, plotlines and emotional touchstones that resonate throughout the subsequent films.

4, 5, 2, 3, 6. This way you start off with a bang, and then when you get the revelation at the end of 5 and end on that cliffhanger, you go back and fill in that backstory before resolving both the cliffhanger and the whole saga. 1 can be watched separately as it has no effect on the rest of the saga.

I have to disagree, though, in that Episode I is essential to the entire series. It introduces the tenets of both the Jedi Order and the Sith, it shows Palpatine's initial rise to power from a senator, it introduces Qui-Gon Jinn who's belief in the "living force" informs the rest of the saga especially as he is mentioned in Episode III, it introduces Anakin as an amazing, wunderkind pilot in the pod race sequence, we see Obi-wan as a padawan and the lessons he learns from Qui-Gon, it introduces Anakin's mother and the role she plays in his life both on Tatooine and her affect on him once he leaves to become a Jedi... I could go on and on. I mean, an important emotional key in Episode III is the jippor snippet made by Anakin and given to Padme in Episode I, so that's just one more reason why this movie shouldn't be excluded from viewing. I realize some fans have their problems with Episode I but it actually is brimming with characters, plotlines and emotional touchstones that resonate throughout the subsequent films.

I agree with you. However, some people really insist on totally dismissing that film. I just wouldn't want his daughter to miss out on 'Star Wars' *completely* just because some people choose, for their own reasons, to disregard that particular film.

I'll be honest, Episode I is my favorite of the prequel trilogy. Nevertheless, I don't think most of the points are integral to the saga. So it sets up the kid as a hotshot pilot? We already know that and can pick it up immediately from context. The background behind Palpatine's rise to power is irrelevant to the drama of the series. What we need to know about the Jedi and the Force are explained just fine by Ben and Yoda in IV and V. Qui-Gon is a neat character but his ideas of the living force are hardly integral to understand what's going on in the movies. Yes, there's plenty happening there, but most of it is not particularly relevant to our understanding or appreciation of Luke and Vader's dramatic arc.

Always go in order of release. Episode III has references that only make sense if you saw the original trilogy.

That said, Episode I has a much better story than the other two prequel films. I'd argue that it casts much more favorable shadow than Attack Of The Clones which is just a bunch of random scenes with no baring on any of the characters.

This is certainly an interesting question, and one I never before pondered. It's also a question that, because of the way in which the films were originally produced, can only be asked of the Star Wars series. Could you ask the same question of the Harry Potter films or the Twilight films. I don't think so.

Don't ruin "No, I am your father!" by viewing the prequels first. Always introduce people who have never seen the films before by watching the original trilogy first... and then let them suffer with the prequels on their own.

Drew McWeeny from the website Hitfix showed his two young sons the movies in this order:

-A New Hope

-Empire Strikes Back

-Prequel Trilogy

-Return Of The Jedi

That's actually kind of an inspired way to do it...you don't ruin the surprise twist of Empire beforehand and the prequels then serve as an extended "flashback" to show how Darth Vader became the evil figurehead of the Empire.

Then a special viewing order is necessary for the prequels. This will require some other items and some minor effort.

First, you get some popcorn, party horns, streamers, sugar free candy and soda, and a CD player and a copy of a CD that has a recording of Hallelujah by Händel. Make sure you are in your house:

Episode I Put it in the toilet, then take a huge dump on it. Make sure to eat a bunch of tacos, breadsticks, and raw cookie dough twelve hours before hand. Then drink a bunch of sugar free soda and scarf down a bunch of sugar free candy, and take four laxaties the twelve hours before, to make a mighty powerful explosive stink bomb. Then mail it to George Lucas.

Episode II Remove from packaging. Place DVD/blu-ray/hard drive the movie is on, inside the microwave. Microwave at high for two minutes. Place in trash. Be thankful.

Episode III Okay, so now you have to go outside. Make sure the popcorn is being made, 'cause you'll need it shortly. Go to you paved driveway, place the DVD in a wooden effigy of Jar Jar Binks doing a reach around with George Lucas (effigy optional). Light it on fire. Turn on Hallelujah. By this time the leftover sugar free soda should be trying to pry your bladder open to release gushing piss; have a special father & son moment and put the fire out by peeing on the DVD and effigy as Hallelujah play. After the fire is out, blow the party horns and throw up the streamers and sing along to Hallelujah. Alter plans as necessary for a daughter/father moment.

Optional: then get a stick, to make sure the fire is out totally, and beat the shit out of the smouldering remains.

As you recover, take a special family moment to then consider what to do with the Star Wars Christmas special, as you have celebratory popcorn.

I'd simply show them as 1 to 6. Someone as young as 7 isn't going to be as biased as someone of my age.

The exception to the lot is 2. That is simply a non-interactive video game. As for 3; it isn't as bad as all that. It might just be a little anti-climactic for old farts. I saw it over Xmas with my nephews and found myself building up their expectations and they were absolutely rapt. So thanks to George Lucas for making it extremely easy for 'uncle' to while away those hours.

However, I do see your point. You have to remember that at the time Jedi was released there was huge buildup and it took some time for the film's flaws to emerge. That said, the appearance of the emperor and the new musical material that went with him had to be brokered, somehow.